THE CROOKED House pub which was destroyed in a suspected “arson attack” could soon be rebuilt.
Britain’s wonkiest pub went up in flames on August 5 before it was flattened by diggers 36 hours later.
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But there is fresh hope for the site in Himley, Staffordshire, after Historic England said it is “considering all possible avenues” over its future.
This could include a potential rebuild of the pub, the public heritage body has hinted.
Historic England says it has received 36 applications for the Crooked House, though no final decision on its future has yet been made.
A spokesperson told The Telegraph: “This is a complex case and we are still processing the applications we received just before and after the fire occurred last week.”
They added: “We offered our support to South Staffordshire Council last week and have been in regular contact with the council since to provide specialist advice as needed,.
“We are also happy to engage with the local community.”
The pub had been put forward for listed status protection shortly before the blaze.
Historic England will act in an advisory capacity to the Department or Culture, Media and Sport, which will ultimately make the final decision.
Local residents held a vigil after the pub burnt down, while more than 9,000 have also joined a Facebook page calling for the site to be rebuilt.
Ian Sandall, of the Save the Crooked House campaign, said he was “absolutely delighted” that Historic England were “as keen as we are” about preserving the pub.
He added that locals were trying to “structure an approach” with the body.
Staffordshire Police revealed last week it is treating the fire as arson.
Just 36 hours later, mechanical diggers were at the site flattening the scorched remains of the pub.
It has since been revealed that the owners had already rented a digger a week before the fire.
Planning officials from South Staffordshire Council had insisted the pub must not be demolished following the fire — and its lawyers are now looking into potential breaches of the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act.
The pub was purchased by Adam Taylor, 44, and his glamorous wife Carly, 34, last month.
The purchase came after the couple had allegedly been at stuck in a row with the brewery which had owned the pub over an access road shared by the boozer and a neighbouring landfill site.
The depot is operated by Himley Environmental Ltd – a firm Mr Taylor is a shareholder and former director of.
A source told MailOnline that the couple’s decision to purchase the pub was “all about access” due to the dispute between Himley Environmental and the Marston’s brewery.
Built in 1765 as a farmhouse, The Crooked House became a pub in the 19th century and got its name after subsidence from mining caused its distinctive 16-degree tilt.
It attracted visitors from all over the world who would test out an optical illusion which made objects appear to roll uphill along the bar.
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